Private Farries had a "thin" service file, showing only that he was sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment #1 for drunkenness on February 26, 1915 in England and then another 25 days in France for a 2nd offence on April 13, 1915.He is formally reported having been killed on April 23, 1915, a mere 10 days later.

Farries served in "E" Company of the 4th Infantry Battalion (1st Brigade, 1st Division). As history will always show, April 22, 1915 was a terrible day in even modern warfare, as it was the first use of poisonous gas at the 2nd Battle of Ypres. The 4th Battalion was in Vlamertinghe, east of Ypres when the attack took place. Early in the morning of the 23rd the 4th Battalion was ordered to move east of the Yser Canal to attack northward with the French Army on the east side of the Ypres-Pilckem Road. The enemy had already broken through after the gas attack and was digging in at Mauser Ridge. The 4th moved into the shallow valley at 5:25 am, assuming they had French support, where they were met by heavy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire just east of Tuco Farm (Nicholson Sketch 7).